Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-11-19


somewhat confused words of the epistle.
On the march, IN one of the narrow
ravines OF the Afghan hills the rearguafd
had been suddenly attacked one night by the
hillsrmen frola an ambush. But the enemy
was soon driven oif-''of course, wrote the
soldier Un,ucaily, however, poor Jack fell
at the beginning Of the attack, and his alb
sence was not known for an hour or two.
Then, when his captain found that he was
missing, the yoei,g officer rode back alone in
search Of hun; SJs he didn't bring the poor
chap in himself" wrote Tom, "There was
Afghans abiding among the rocks, and one
ON EN- took pot shot at the capen, and
brought him down. Luckily bot OF our fell
lows had followed him as soon pretty near as
he'd started, and they brought in the two on
'em all right"
''But Jack could not write YETI he pro
ceeded, land the cap'en was awful bad and
we're all down about him, added Tom; ''for
he's man any one would die for
Mary Denzls voice was scarcely steady as
she read these words She had a quick mag
ination, and there rose before her n mem
tai picture of the lonely hill ride in
the moonlight, and the wounded man
left amidst the dead Afghans and English;
and then the hurried tramp of horse, the
arrival of the brave officer to rescue his
man, and his falling moment sfterward be-
meath the shot of the hidden assassin.
"Your Jacks captain is a hero, Mary she
said; che deserves Victoria cross
But Mary was crying bitterly; her thoughts
were all with poor wounded Jack; she could
not spare as yet any admiration for his Off
GER.
Mary Denzl did her best to console her
poor foster sister, representing to her that
Parker was probably now quite well, and
that if he did not get strong soon he would
be invaded, and then that he need never
leave her again.
"For we viii buy him out" she promisea
By degrees Mary was comforted and con-
posed, and then Miss Denzil questioned hes
more about the officer, whose courage and
humanity had charmed her. Mary bad seen
him at Woolwich when his regiment had been
quartered there, and she had first known
Jack; and she said that he was "grand look
ing" and that his name was Owen. All his
men loved him, he was so good Ard
Miss Denzil conjured up in her minds
eye stately middle aged gentleman,
a born ruler and great soldier. and it
must be confessed that she very often
thought of Capt. Owen from that time, and
was not little rejoiced when Jacks friend
Tom informed them that Jack was well and
''the cap'enn out of danger.
By and by, when all was over and some of
the troops had returned to England--amongst
them was Jacks reginient-Miss Denzil was
gratified by seeing that the queen had con-
ferred the Victoria cross on Capt Richard
Owen for his valor and humanity in return
ing alone to rescue fallen comrade.
Mary Denzil at once employed a young
relative she had in the war office to purchase
Jack Parker's discharge, and likewise charged
her kinsman to give him some money from
her and to send him down to the home farm
at once, where she meant to see If she could
give him employment and to marry him to
Mary. Yet as she sent the letter she thought
with regret that henceforward she should
hear no more from or of Capt. Owen.
One morning, about month after writ
ing to her cousin, the young lady received n
letter from him, telling her that Parker was
discharged, but had begged him to tell her
that he could not yet visit the home farm, as
his captain was still i'll from his wound and
he did not like to leave him in lodgings all
alone.
We need scarcely say that the soldiers af-
to the young heiress, and Mary was delighted
at the praise she bestowed upon him.
The days went on The harvest was golden
in the land that second summer since Miss
Denzil commenced her duties as amanuensis,
and she was on her way to the home farm to
ask Mary if she had heard yet from Parker.
The farm house door was open. She
walked in and went to the little parlor where
Mary was often to be found at this hour (the
afternoon) at work.
To her surprise, as she entered it she be-
held tall, pale young man-evidently a
gentleman-lying on the couch smoking a
cigarette.
He sprang up when he saw her, and re-
moved the cigarette from his lips.
"I-I came to find Mary Price," said Miss
Denzil, little embarrassed. Could he be
Capt Owen, she wondered; if so, he was not
at all like her ideal.
''Mary Price," he replied gravely, sis gone
out with her young man, John Parker, and
will not be back just yet, am afraid"
"Ol " said Miss Denzil; "then am I speak
ing to Capt OwenP'
He bowed.
''l am Dick Owen" he said MAY ask
if l have the honor of addressing Miss Lo-
nAxp
mo-" she said; "Miss I.omax is married
and has left the place"
"Marriedn he exclaimed, in tone of in
tense disappointment. "rm awfully sorry
for that"
''Indeed! Was she friend of yoursg'-
demursly
''She was and she wasn't | never saw her
in my life, but fell in love with her through
the post, and l came here fully resolved to
marry her myself
Mary Denzil laughed gleefully
81 am sorry that you should have arrived
too late" she said, ''for falling in love
through the post is rather a novel idea.
Why didn't you propose by means of the
telephoneT'
~ wish | had by electric telegraph" he
said, echoing her laugh "but kept hoping
70 get down here, and was never well enough